There are many reasons why a patient may have lost some or all of their teeth. It could be the result of periodontal disease, or tooth decay. It may even be the result of an accident or head trauma. Whatever the reason, having missing teeth can be a source of great embarrassment and cause self-confidence issues. Just as importantly though, having missing teeth can have a negative impact on profile and can ultimately lead to sagging of the facial tissue. For these reasons it is very important to replace the teeth with dentures, or a partial denture if only a few teeth are missing.

Dentures, which act as a removable substitute for teeth, have had a stigma attached to them over the years but this is becoming less of a factor. Technological advances have meant that dentures have vastly improved in quality and appearance. A set of dentures today will look and feel a lot more realistic than the dentures of the past. Modern dentures are normally made from acrylic resins, but a whole new range is being introduced called Valplast flexible dentures. Ask your London dentist about the new ranges of incredibly realistic and comfortable dentures.

If your dentures are constructed accurately, the suction alone should be enough to keep them securely in place. For dentures that are not as well fitted, it may be necessary for some patients to use denture adhesive. Some patients just feel more comfortable knowing that their dentures are secured. But adhesive can be messy and make the eating of certain foods more or less impossible. More and more patients these days are opting for dentures secured by rigid dental implants. This can really provide the security and extra confidence that some denture wearers need.

Dentures are fairly resistant to staining and wear, but they will last longer if they are properly cared for. Removing dentures at night and brushing them twice a day like regular teeth will help to prolong their life. A London dentist will also be able to offer professional denture cleaning services at your regular six-monthly check up. It is important to maintain these visits even if you have no teeth remaining. Dentures can become ill fitting due to changes in the mouth and gum erosion and may need refitting by the dentist for maximum comfort and security.

There are a number of dental procedures available to replace a missing tooth, but among the most realistic is a dental implant. Because it is anchored directly to the jawbone itself, it can offer a greater degree of stability than a dental bridge or conventional crown.

For patients with missing teeth, it can often be a great source of embarrassment that can affect self-confidence and cause self-esteem issues. This can be a significant hindrance, especially considering that smiling is one of the most effective ways of communicating emotions. A dental implant could be the answer when considering replacing a missing tooth.

The implant comes in the form of a small metal screw that is attached to the solid structure of the jaw. They are usually made from titanium or other metals of considerable strength suitable for use in the human body. It is this strength that makes them comparable to a real tooth. Dental implants have existed for some years but recent advances in technology have made them the option of choice for patients wanting to replace a missing tooth.

Once the screw is attached to the jaw it is left for approximately two weeks so that it has time to fuse with the bone and gums, in a process called osseointergration. When this has happened, the dentist will attach a post to the screw and then finally a solid crown to the screw. This added stability not only looks and feels more realistic but it can also help to prevent facial tissue sinking and profile loss, which can occur with other artificial teeth.

Dental implants are most suitable for patients who have existing strong bone structures and teeth, and so may not be suitable for all patients. Consult your City of London dentist and see if they can replace your missing tooth with a dental implant and you may be able to smile again with confidence.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth that are anchored onto existing teeth in order to restore the natural appearance of a full set. They can be used to fill one or more empty spaces in the tooth line. The artificial tooth is known as the pontic and fused between two crowns which are attached to teeth either side of the gap, forming a bridge between them.

Dental bridges are needed to help restore a healthy looking smile and appearance, but can also have some other cosmetic advantages. They can help improve bite by preventing the existing teeth on either side of the gap leaning into the space, which alters the way the top and bottom teeth sit together. In a similar way they can also help prevent any changes in profile brought about by missing teeth. Dental bridges can also help prevent gum disease by stopping food and bacteria accumulating in the gap.

There is several types of dental bridge, but the most commonly used is the traditional fixed bridge, where the pontic (usually ceramic) is anchored to the neighbouring teeth. These bridges are fixed and cannot be removed. Resin-bonded bridges are when a false two is banded to the neigbouring teeth with metal strips secured with resin. Cantilevered dental bridges are only used when there is only a tooth on one side of the gap, so the bridge must be anchored to more than one tooth on that side

The procedure usually involves several visits to the dentist where he will assess what bridge is most suitable and make a mold of the teeth. On successive appointments a City of London dentist will construct the bridge. This may take more than one procedure, as crowns may need to set before being attached to the artificial tooth.

With the correct care a dental bridge can last up to seven years, and can help improve the condition of the teeth and gums around it. Good standards of oral hygiene and regular dental check ups will prolong its life and leave you with the smile you always wanted.

Having one or more missing teeth can really affect your confidence to smile. More than that, it might be adversely affecting your bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together). In more extreme circumstances, it can cause speech impediments, increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and joint disorders such as TMJ.

It is also important to have missing teeth bridged to prevent existing teeth sliding into the space causing poor alignment and ultimately a poor profile. Dental also bridges protect against gum disease

One of the answers to missing teeth is a dental bridge. Dental bridges use artificial implants anchored to existing teeth to give the impression of a continued tooth line. The most common form of bridges are: the conventional bridge, where crowns are attached to teeth either side of the gap supporting the artificial tooth (like a bridge); the bonded bridge, when the adjacent teeth are in such good condition that the new tooth can be bonded to them with resin and metal strips; and the cantilevered bridge, when there are existing teeth on only one side of the gap. In the case of cantilevered bridges, the bridge will need to be attached to two or more teeth for stability.

Dental bridges can be fitted in two or visits to the dentist and if properly maintained will last between five and seven years. Their cost will vary according to the condition of the existing teeth and the type of bridge required by the patient. There is no need to suffer the embarrassment of missing teeth. Ask a London dentist about dental bridges.

If you are missing two or three adjacent teeth, you may feel that it is better to get a dental bridge as opposed to implants. Today, your London dentist can make these bridges, as well as ensure that they are as comfortable and attractive as possible. In most cases, you will be very surprised by the number of options that are available to you.

Consider a situation where you needed to have a number of front teeth removed. While you may feel relieved to have gotten rid of buck teeth, or overcrowded ones, you may still feel a bit upset to have a huge gaping hole in front of your mouth. On the other hand, if implants are beyond your budgetary means, you may find that you can afford to get dental bridges. Aside from being cheaper, you will also have an easier time chewing your foods properly. This will also help reduce placing an excessive burden on your existing natural teeth.

Even though you may develop one mechanism or another for dealing with missing teeth, eventually you will wind up with all kinds of dietary and health problems. Among other things, when you are missing your teeth, it is much harder to chew healthy foods such as nuts, raw fruits, and raw vegetables. This, in turn can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and many other problems.

It is very important to do what you can to have those teeth replaced. Regardless of whether you choose to get resin dental bridges or ones made of more durable material, you will look and feel much better. At the same time, you will also have peace of mind knowing that you can look forward to a future where you are not at such a high risk of developing health issues associated with missing teeth.

Chances are, if you need a root canal, you will want to have it done as soon as possible. For example, if you are on antibiotics, or the tooth is very painful, you may find that there aren’t any other options open to you. Today, dentists in London have some of the most advanced technologies and training available to ensure that your root canal goes as smoothly as possible.

Years ago, when individuals had a tooth or gum abscess, they would have the tooth removed. Unfortunately, this also caused many people to wind up in a situation where missing teeth caused all kinds of oral health and chewing problems. This situation is even worse when molars need to be treated. In most cases, a root canal is actually cheaper and better in the long run than dealing with extractions and implants.

Once the roots of your tooth have been treated with a root canal, you can look forward to chewing with that tooth for the rest of your life. On the other hand, if you have the tooth taken out, and then get implants, you may need to have them replaced every few years. In addition, there is no such thing as an implant or bridge that will work as well as your natural teeth when it comes to chewing food.

If you are concerned about the recovery period after a root canal, your dentist can give you painkillers, as well as other medications to keep you comfortable. Consider that it is not worth developing a life threatening infection simply because you are afraid to have a root canal. When you begin to weigh all of the risks and benefits, you will soon realize that any type of mouth infection should be a signal to see your dentist as quickly as possible.

A night guard is usually used by your London dentist to treat teeth grinding or bruxism. This has been the method of choice for a long time. You probably don’t even know that you grind your teeth. This usually occurs while you are asleep. It is not until your dentist tells you or possibly your partner hears you grind at night that you are aware of it. Some reasons why you grind your teeth include mal-positioned teeth, and tooth/teeth and/or skeletal discrepancies between your upper and lower jaws. Children usually grind their teeth while sleeping. This is primarily due to the arrangement of their baby teeth or when they have their adult teeth erupting into their mouths, and they are looking for a comfortable place where their teeth will meet each other. Following the eruption of secondary teeth into the oral cavity, this grinding usually stops. Your London dentist will perform a complete oral examination of your teeth and gums, take dental X-rays, and make study models of your teeth. They will then recommend their treatment. Grinding may not seem like a large problem to you, however if left untreated, it may result in more serious problems down the road (i.e., jaw, mouth, neck, face, and back pain). Defective fillings, missing teeth, misaligned teeth, and defective crowns/bridges, along with ill fitting removable full or partial dentures, can change your normal bite and cause you to grind your teeth while searching for a suitable resting place for your jaws. Your London dentist may opt to perform an occlusal equilibration, however may not do so until the wear and grinding patterns are shown on your night guard. So, actually, these night guards serve as both diagnostic aids for your dentist and treatment for teeth grinding for you. If a specialist is required to correct your teeth grinding, your London dentist will make the proper referral. .Visit your London Dental Clinic to see if you are grinding or if you need help correcting the problem.

Having a gap in your teeth could make anyone conscious of their smiles. Aside from the aesthetic aspect, missing teeth could actually result to bite problems such as malocclusion and TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). One of the favorite solutions used by City of London dentists is dental bridge.

These dental bridges have been used for replacing lost teeth just like partial dentures and implants. There are actually three kinds: conventional, cantilever and resin-bonded.

• Conventional and cantilever – these types require the shaping of teeth surrounding the missing tooth. After, crowns will be placed and then attached to the artificial tooth.

• Resin-bonded – this type does not require much preparation of the surrounding tooth. For this reason, it is the preferred dental bridge for missing front teeth as long as the gums are quite healthy and the adjacent teeth have no extensive fillings.

The entire dental bridge procedure will usually require two to three visits.

• First Visit – your dentist will check your overall oral health to see if you are qualified for a dental bridge procedure.
• Second Visit – an impression of your teeth will be taken in order to allow the dental technician to precisely fabricate the dental bridge according to your needs. A temporary bridge will be fitted to protect your gums and teeth from further damage.
• Third Visit – the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent one is put in place.

The cost of a dental bridge can range between $1000 and $3000. Your City of London dentist will help you choose one that will meet your needs and at the same time, will not break the bank.

Your City of London dentist will offer to fabricate a Valplast denture for you, if you are not a candidate for a regular partial denture, or if for cosmetic reasons you do not want metal clasps to show when you smile. A pressure-injected, Valplast denture, has a flexible base that can provide a very comfortable denture, and has been used as partial dentures, unilateral removable dentures (i.e., Nesbit dentures), and flippers, to replace missing teeth. Valplast dentures are almost visible lightweight and made of lightweight material. Valplast dentures have been available for over 50 years and will save the patient valuable time at the dentist as they require very minimal teeth preparation. Your City of London dentist also saves chair time, and does not need to try-in a metal partial denture framework. Valplast dentures are very natural looking, and are made only by dental laboratories that are certified in Valplast denture fabrication. So, visit your City of London dentist to see if Valplast dentures are right for you!

Teeth grinding (i.e., bruxism) has been treated in the City of London Dental Clinic for some time. You may be unaware that you are grinding your teeth as it usually occurs while you are asleep. There are several reasons why you may grind your teeth, including mal-positioned teeth and teeth and/or skeletal discrepancies between your upper and lower teeth. You are usually more aware of your children grinding their teeth due to being awake while your child is sleeping. Teeth grinding in children usually occur due to their primary teeth arrangements (i.e., edge-to-edge) and the development of their secondary teeth. When the adult teeth come into the mouth, this grinding usually subsides. Your City of London dentist will perform a complete examination of your teeth and gums complete with X-rays and study models of your teeth. Then they will recommend the proper course of action for you and/or your child.

Teeth grinding may not be a large problem, however may eventually lead to mouth, jaw, face, neck, and even back pain. Missing and/or misaligned teeth, faulty fillings, crowns/bridges, and removable full or partial dentures, can alter your normal bite and cause you to grind your teeth. Your City of London dentist will examine your mouth and teeth both inside your mouth and using your study models in order to determine if wear and grinding patterns exist. If wear patterns exist, an occlusal equilibration may be performed by your dentist. In addition, your dentist may have an acrylic mouth guard fabricated so that you no longer damage your teeth. These mouth guards can also serve as a diagnostic aid for your dentist. Since the acrylic is softer than teeth enamel, your dentist will be able to detect the wear patterns on the appliance. Your City of London dentist may decide that a specialist in the field can help and you will then be referred to this specialist. Visit your City of London dentist to get the help you need with teeth grinding!